What is a prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

Proof of Concept

Explorations that test ideas and functionality.

Functional Prototype

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

Appearance Prototype

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Design Prototype

Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Production Prototype

Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.

Prototype Gallery

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

About this project

DirtySixer 32er second prototype with Rohloff XL.

Reinventing the wheel-size: 32" DirtySixer bikes.

After running a successful campaign here for our 36" wheel DirtySixer bike -funded at 259%- for the tall and very tall riders, I wanted to offer the same high quality proportionate bike concept to a wider audience. DirtySixer is now introducing the first ever big 32-inch wheel bike for tall riders from 5'8" (173cm) up to 6'8" (203cm).

6'5" Ryland riding the second DirtySixer 32er prototype.

Why a 32er DirtySixer?

Being 6'6" (or 198cm) myself, I know what it takes to make the only safe, proportionate and durable big bike that is safe and good looking for us the tall cyclists. DirtySixer put for the first time Shaquille O'Neal (7'1") on a big proportionate bicycle of his life! When you're tall, you can try to ride a standard 29er (700c) wheel bike, but you'll quickly discover that even the biggest size available won't fit you and have dangerous limitation. Worst "adapting it" to our tall bodies totally mess up the geometry and weight distribution. After breaking my ankle crashing a poorly designed road (700c) bicycle, I created the DirtySixer bike concept. Using bigger wheels, we produced a limited batch of the DirtySixer 36er AllRoad model. But I realized that some of us tall and less tall didn't need or want to go all the way up to 36" wheel size. That's why we are now introducing the 32" wheel version of the DirtySixer AllRoad for all tall riders. Expending the real big proportionate bike concept to more people. This new 32" wheel size allows us to build a scaled up bike in every aspect for the riders from 5'8" up to 6'8".

Shaquille O'Neal (7'1") and his full custom 36er DirtySixer.

A proven solution

The DirtySixer bikes are the only big bike to bring a fun, safe and durable ride for the tall riders. Our proven design and solution have been tested by more than a hundred tall riders. After thousands of hard miles on all of our prototypes and face to face comparison with traditional wheel-size bicycles, we are totally confident in our unique solution. We are the only ones to have the knowledge and the unique engineering background to design and produce the best, safest and good looking bikes for tall. Check all the press and blog coverage that followed the launch of our 36er DirtySixer bikes:

DirtySixer in the media

Why a new wheel size?

We started to cater to the very tall people bringing the first high quality proportionate 36er bicycles. We are following that same logic used by kids' bikes that scale up the wheel sizes from a 12" for 2 years old, 14" for 4 years old, 16" for 5 years old, 20" for 7 years old, 24" for 9 years old and up to 26" for teenagers. To us, the 29" wheels have design limitations for those taller than average sized adults. Enters the 32" wheel size! Filling the gap between the 29er and the 36er was one of our initial goal. After a lot of research, negotiating quotes for production, we were able to source the same sturdy and reliable rim/tire combo we use on our 36" wheelsets made in 32". The 32" is the best solution for when you grow taller than the average and need a bigger bicycle than the ones with 29" wheels! The DirtySixer 32er is a tremendous improvement for us taller than the average.

32er DirtySixer bike: Size Chart

Bigger Design, Safer Riding

The DirtySixer bikes are exclusively designed, engineered and fabricated for us tall riders. The result is a safer, more balanced geometry that puts the rider in the center of the bike. The longer wheelbase moves the weight of the rider forward, to the center of the bike, resolving the inherent instability of the "regular" tall bikes. Regular bikes puts our "tall" center of gravity over the rear axle! A recipe for disaster. Our specific tall cyclists design offers a better weight distribution on top of better ergonomics and an upright, comfortable riding position. Those who suffer from back, neck, shoulder and wrists pain while riding know what I mean. Building a proportionate DirtySixer for tall people also mean increasing our pedaling efficiency thanks to longer cranks, specifically selected to be proportionate to our long legs. All these technical solutions allows the new 32er DirtySixer to provide a unique and safer solution for tall riders. Being taller than average should not prevent you from having an awesome good looking bike. The 32" AllRoad DirtySixer now expand the advantages of big wheels to a wider tall community around the world!

Fitting Session for the 32er Proto while attending UBI.

DirtySixer AllRoad Bike

Our DirtySixer AllRoad is the best all around, all type of riding big bike. You can call it a do-everything bike, a cross-bike, a commuter bike, a city bike, a town&country bike, a touring bike, an adventure bike, a gravel bike, a light trail bike or even an hybrid... it fits all of these jobs. The AllRoad 32er DirtySixer offers a very stable geometry with a very natural handling. Stable at high speed and planted on its long wheelbase. It's the ideal big bike for a lot of different styles of riding, needs and surfaces. And yes you can also cruise the neighborhood and ride no hands with it! It is fitted with wide flat bars allowing better ergonomics for our broad shoulders. Riding position is upright and relaxed for more comfort and total control.

Prototype Road (drop bars and rigid fork) 32er DirtySixer

DirtySixer Road Bike

If you find our All-Road DirtySixer too versatile and need a more specific tool to ride on the asphalt, fire roads or on light trials with a more aggressive -but still comfortable- position there is the Road version. The geometry is more responsive. We are using the widest drop bars available (48cm center to center) and specific drop bar brake levers. The riding position is designed to be comfortable for us tall with a more upright definition: think more like a touring or randonneur bike would. Comfort for tall riders starts with a good and relaxed riding position and we got that dialed in. The DirtySixer Road bike is not a race bike nor it will pretend you can win the Tour de France on it but it will take you places fast.

DirtySixer Headbadge

California Hand Fabricated!

Like our previous 36er DirtySixer, our new 32er will be hand fabricated here in California, by our local fabricator (near Sacramento), Ventana Bikes. Ventana brings more than 25 years of experience in building impressive full-suspension tandems, among other strong and reliable mountain bikes and fat bikes.

DirtySixer is a small company with a commitment to our tall community, providing big quality solutions.

DirtySixer bikes founder at UBI welding the 32er Proto

The DirtySixer Team & Contributors

• David Folch - Founder/Designer of the DirtySixer

• Sherwood Gibson - Engineer and Fabricator, owner of Ventana

• Renaud Sauteret - Art Director

• Elliott Sidey - Video Production

DirtySixer Bikes are Hand Fabricated in California!

Shipping and duty fees

Because KickStarter does not allow us to charge shipping case by case after you pledge, we estimated them. We have inquired to find the best shipping company at the best rate but we cannot get exact shipping price for any situation until we know where your DirtySixer will go. If you are willing to visit the Bay Area, you can pick up your DirtySixer in person. In this case we will have to charge California sale taxes. For international backers, we will go through the same process. Also please note that duty fees (or import fees) cannot be handled by DirtySixer bikes. Backers will have to inquire and assume themselves about import fees.

N.B. Technical specifications are subject to change at any time without any prior notice.

Risks and challenges

Hand fabricating a new batch of DirtySixer bikes is now going to be an easier task. Our high quality, big, strong, safe and fun bicycles for tall riders are still a very special job to achieve at our small boutique level. In a world of mass-produced bikes we strive for better quality. Where all the available components are standardized for average riders (think 5'8" and 165lbs) we push this limit higher up. Because our tall customers are not average, we source or fabricate bigger, longer, stronger and safer components to build the DirtySixer bikes. Thanks to our experience with our first batch, with rigorous testing and development, we have streamlined the perfect way to get our custom parts made. However, some of our providers require a "minimum order quantity" to create new molds/fixtures in larger sizes. This is where the community of tall riders can help: we need to reach that number in order to produce these handlebars. This new 32er DirtySixer are offered during this campaign at a $500 off MSRP only if we can order multiple bikes. You can help getting your tall friends, family, coworkers, colleagues or teammates on the right bike. Help us help them! Share the word. Let them know that the only bicycle in the world truly designed and fabricated for tall people is the DirtySixer and it can be build with their help!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $6,399 or more
About $6,399

Complete AllRoad 32er DirtySixer Rohloff

Complete handmade in the USA AllRoad 32er DirtySixer Rohloff bike, in sizes S, M or L, with proportionate longer cranks. No more derailleur to adjust or damage, you can shift from a dead stop, enjoy the widest gear range, very little maintenance and the German reliability! MSRP $6,899. $500 dollars savings, only right now. The perfect DirtySixer for long road rides, touring, commuting with relaxed flat bars. Please share the word with your tall friends!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $6,999 or more
About $6,999

Complete Road 32er DirtySixer Rohloff

Complete handmade in the USA Road 32er DirtySixer Rohloff bike, in sizes S, M or L, with proportionate longer cranks. Drop bars in 48cm included with hydraulic brakes. It's a road bike, a cross bike, a gravel grinder! Upgraded specific shifting system for the Rohloff. No more derailleur to adjust or damage, you can shift from a dead stop, enjoy the widest gear range, very little maintenance and the German reliability! MSRP $7,499. $500 dollars savings, only right now. The perfect DirtySixer for long road rides, touring, commuting. Please share the word with your tall friends!